Homeland Security Today Submission Guidelines
Share What Matters. Shape What Comes Next.
Homeland Security Today (HSToday) is an unprecedented information platform where practitioners, researchers, policymakers, operators, industry leaders, and subject matter experts come together to share fact-based, experience-led ideas, solutions, assessments, and warnings about the current and future state of homeland security.
“We like to think of ourselves as a Substack with editors.”
We believe the best ideas often come from those doing the work every day. Whether you serve in government, industry, academia, the military, emergency management, law enforcement, intelligence, public health, cybersecurity, critical infrastructure, or the private sector, your experience has value. Our role is to provide a trusted platform where your insights can inform, challenge, and inspire the homeland security community.
HSToday exists to foster collaboration for the benefit of our collective security—because protecting the homeland requires sharing knowledge across disciplines, organizations, sectors, and generations of leaders.
Rolling Submissions
HSToday accepts submissions year-round on a rolling basis. There are no submission deadlines, and we encourage authors to submit timely analysis whenever important developments, lessons learned, emerging threats, innovative solutions, or informed perspectives warrant discussion.
While HSToday welcomes submissions throughout the year, we also periodically publish special editions and themed editorial features focused on nationally recognized observances, emerging issues, and mission priorities. Authors are encouraged to subscribe to contributor announcements so they can participate in these opportunities.
Most accepted submissions are published within one to two weeks. Occasionally, an accepted article may be scheduled for publication as part of a special edition, editorial feature, or themed series to maximize its impact and reach.
What We Publish
HSToday publishes original articles that help readers better understand the homeland security environment and prepare for what comes next.
We welcome submissions that:
- Share operational lessons learned.
- Present practical solutions to current challenges.
- Analyze emerging threats and opportunities.
- Explain new technologies and their implications.
- Offer strategic assessments and informed opinions.
- Translate research into actionable insights.
- Encourage thoughtful, fact-based discussion across the homeland security enterprise.
- STAY AWAY from politics and stay in problem solving or “teaching” mode.
We especially value submissions that combine professional experience with sound analysis and practical recommendations.
Our Editorial Verticals
Every accepted article is published within the HSToday Subject Matter Area that best aligns with its content. An article may be appropriate for several verticals and will be published in each. Articles are also distributed through our weekly newsletters. See the verticals here.
Amplifying Your Work
Publication on HSToday extends well beyond appearing on our website.
Accepted articles are:
- Published on HSToday.us within the editorial vertical most appropriate for the topic.
- Distributed through the newsletter associated with that editorial vertical, reaching subscribers specifically interested in that subject area.
- Shared across HSToday’s LinkedIn presence and other social media channels.
- Promoted with attribution to the author, who will be tagged on LinkedIn whenever possible.
Our goal is not simply to publish great ideas — but to ensure they reach practitioners, policymakers, researchers, journalists, industry leaders, and decision-makers who can benefit from them.
No Word Limits
We do not impose a word limit.
Some ideas require 800 words. Others deserve 4,000.
We encourage authors to fully develop their arguments and express their ideas in whatever length best serves the topic. If a submission is particularly long, HSToday may publish it as a two-part or multi-part series.
Original Content
We publish original work.
As a general rule, HSToday does not republish articles that have already appeared elsewhere.
However, we welcome submissions that:
- Summarize newly published research.
- Translate academic work into practical insights for practitioners.
- Present findings from dissertations, theses, or larger research projects.
- Explore a different perspective or expand upon previously published work.
If your submission builds upon prior publication, simply let us know when submitting so our editors can determine the most appropriate approach.
Our Editorial Process
Every submission is reviewed by our editorial team for relevance, clarity, accuracy, readability, and style.
We do not accept marketing of any kind. If you are interested in “Ads” or promotion we encourage you to reach out to obtain our rate card by contacting kwhite@gtscoalition.com.
HSToday reserves the right to:
- Edit for grammar, style, formatting, and readability.
- Develop or revise headlines and subheads.
- Recommend organizational improvements.
We will never alter an author’s meaning, conclusions, analysis, or intent. Our editors work collaboratively with contributors to strengthen articles while preserving each author’s unique voice.
Editorial Features Throughout the Year
Throughout the year, HSToday publishes special editorial features highlighting important homeland security missions, national observances, and emerging issues. Contributors are encouraged to submit articles in support of these initiatives, including:
- January — National Human Trafficking Prevention Month
- September — National Preparedness Month
- September — National Insider Threat Awareness Month
- October — Cybersecurity Awareness Month
- November — Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience Month
Additional editorial series and special editions may focus on artificial intelligence, election security, border security, maritime security, emergency management, public health, supply chain resilience, women in homeland security, leadership, workforce development, and other emerging mission priorities.
Stay Informed
Authors and prospective contributors are encouraged to sign-up to receive announcements about upcoming special editions, editorial features, and calls for submissions.
Throughout the year, HSToday develops themed editorial series around emerging threats, major national events, policy initiatives, and topics of strategic importance to the homeland security enterprise. Subscribers receive advance notice of editorial themes, contributor opportunities, submission timelines, and special editions so they can plan articles that align with their expertise.
Also Consider: Pracademic Affairs (Learn more here)
Some submissions may be better suited for Pracademic Affairs, HSToday’s dedicated forum exploring the intersection of scholarship and professional practice.
While HSToday emphasizes timely analysis, operational lessons learned, emerging threats, practical solutions, and expert commentary for today’s homeland security professionals, Pracademic Affairs provides a venue for deeper examination of how research informs practice — and how practice should shape future research.
Ready to Contribute?
If you have an idea that can help strengthen the homeland security enterprise, we’d like to hear from you.
Please submit your completed article, proposal, or pitch to:
Author Submission Checklist
To help us review and publish your submission as quickly as possible, please include the following with your article:
Your Article
- Your article in Microsoft Word (.docx) format whenever possible.
- A clear, descriptive working title (our editors may revise or develop the final headline).
- Hyperlinks embedded directly in the text rather than footnotes whenever appropriate.
- Citations or references for data, reports, or quotations, where applicable.
- Any images, graphics, charts, or figures you would like us to consider publishing, along with confirmation that you own the rights to use them or have permission for their publication.
- Three key takeaways from your article.
About You
Please include the longest professional biography possible.
Unlike many publications, HSToday believes our readers benefit from understanding the depth and breadth of an author’s experience. We encourage contributors to provide a comprehensive biography that highlights their career, operational experience, academic appointments, publications, military or government service, board memberships, awards, certifications, professional affiliations, and current responsibilities. We may edit the biography for length when necessary, but we would rather have too much information than too little.
Please also include:
- Your current title and organization.
- A professional headshot (high-resolution JPG or PNG preferred).
- Your LinkedIn profile URL.
- Your personal or organizational website (if applicable).
- Your preferred email address for editorial correspondence.
- Any social media accounts you would like us to tag when promoting your article.
Transparency & Disclosure
To maintain the trust of our readers, please disclose:
- Any financial, professional, or organizational relationships that could reasonably be perceived as influencing your perspective.
- Whether your submission is based on previously published work, research, or a dissertation.
- Whether any portion of your submission was developed with the assistance of generative artificial intelligence (AI). We recognize AI as a valuable editorial and research tool; however, authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, sourcing, and integrity of everything submitted for publication.
What Happens Next?
Once your submission is received:
- Editors will review the submission for relevance, quality, and editorial fit.
- If accepted, we may recommend editorial revisions or collaborate with you on refinements.
- Most accepted articles are published within one to two weeks, unless they are being held for a special edition or themed editorial feature.
- Once published, your article will appear on HSToday.us, be distributed through the appropriate editorial vertical and newsletter, and be promoted through HSToday’s LinkedIn and other social media channels. We will tag you on LinkedIn whenever possible to help maximize your article’s visibility.
Become Part of the Community
HSToday is more than a publication — we are a professional community.
Many of our contributors become regular columnists, recurring authors, podcast guests, webinar speakers, conference participants, and trusted voices across the homeland security enterprise. We encourage you to stay engaged, continue the conversation, and share your expertise with fellow professionals.
Whether you are a first-time contributor or an internationally recognized expert, HSToday provides an editorial home where your ideas can inform the community, influence the conversation, and help strengthen our nation’s security.
The homeland security community advances when practitioners share what they know. At HSToday, we provide the platform — and the editorial partnership — to ensure those ideas reach the people who can make a difference.